Paying us a surprise visit recently was Weirton native Nick Mraovich, who went west in 1982 when laid off from Weirton Steel. Now a resident of Concord, Calif., Nick is branch chief of the administrative support and personnel services for the division of program/project management, California Department of Transportation, with five years of service.

Son of Weirton retiree Nick Mraovich Sr. (Strip Steel) and the late Irene Mraovich, young Nick graduated from Weir High School in 1974, and earned a degree in business management and administration in 1978 from West Liberty State College. His wife, a California native, is a former Macy's model. They have three daughters and reside in the Bay area. While in Weirton, Nick was in Junior Achievement and the Key Club. One of his volunteer duties in Concord is serving as fundraising chair for Concord High School's graduation night committee. In Weirton, he displayed solid leadership while a member of JA, the Key Club, Jaycees and Kiwanis. Best wishes to Nick!

This story, slugged "Reasonable Request," came from a golfing friend.

The room was full of pregnant women with their husbands.

The instructor said, "Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you. Walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery that much easier. Just pace yourself, make plenty of stops and try to stay on a soft surface like grass or a path.

"Gentlemen, remember - you're in this together. It wouldn't hurt you to go walking with her. In fact, that shared experience would be good for you both."

The room suddenly became very quiet as the men absorbed this information.

After a few moments, a man at the back of the room slowly raised his hand.

"Yes?" said the instructor.

"I was just wondering if it would be all right if she carries a golf bag while we walk."

It is said that the average person's left hand does 56 percent of the typing. And supposedly there are only four words in the English language which end in "dous": tremendous, horrendous, stupendous and hazardous.

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver or purple.

With lefty Rick Smith along, our latest golf outing took us to Turkana Farms in the Calcutta area of East Liverpool. It is a well-maintained public course with good greens, and long enough to be challenging. I shot 85 with one birdie, while Rick's scoring was in the same neighborhood. We won a few bucks.

Weirton Mayor George Kondik politely reminded me the Mayor's Award recently was presented to both Dennis Jones and Dr. Luthra. And well deserved!